Visit The Nubian Community
Diversity makes cultural tourism in Uganda so attractive. With over 40 tribes are the Nubians who are endowed with a conservative lifestyle. In Uganda, Nubians were scattered all over the country, but with the highest concentration in Bombo. Their main occupation was trade and many were employed in the national security forces during the colonial era. Take a trip to Bombo, 30 minutes’ drive from Kampala city along Bombo road and experience their graceful Duluka dance, master the women’s exquisite talent of weaving and crown the home stay visit with a square meal of their unique cuisines.
To those visitors looking for a chance to experience, learn and immerse themselves into one of the rich cultures, this place is the perfect place to be.
THEIR HISTORY
It’s believed that the Nubian ancestors served in the colonial army in Uganda that was recruited in the upper Nile region (South Sudan) by the colonial administrator Emin Pasha. Some of them were integrated into the civilian communities in Uganda. Majority of the ancestors settled in Buganda where they were already living in military barracks in Bombo. Luckily enough, they were given land in Bombo under the Buganda land law of 1908. These became land owners under the Buganda government. Conservative as they are, they accepted to be integrated into the Buganda system and pay allegiance to the Kabaka of Buganda. A Nubian ex headman was appointed a gombolola chief and they had to pay tax to the Buganda kingdom. History has it that the Nubians initially did not want to be part of Buganda. They wanted to be independent of Buganda kingdom and yet Bombo where the majorities were staying had become part of Buganda’s crown land.
Today, the Nubians are recognized as a tribe with culture, language and religion. Most of them are Muslims and their language sounds like Arabic. Actually, the language is “olunubi” and the people are called “abanubi”
THE EXPERIENCE
Through the total immersion of an experience, one gets a chance to stay with a given family with whom they share their way of life. Visitors are given a warm treat, learn the language, get orally schooled in the history, buy sculptures, indulge in local sports and even dine seated on mats.
There is hena tattoo like art work done on the feet and palms which is a permanent feature with the ladies. This is crowned by etchings on the forehead, neck and other body parts. As corns rows and nose pin which have become global fashion statements are compulsory in this society since time immemorial.
The Nubian dress code steers clear of the dread mini-skirts that were recently outlawed. The ladies drape themselves in flowing sheets and bulbous skirts with a bell bottom. The waistlines are knotted tight leaving the hips to sag. The men wear tunics, skull caps and flip flops.
So what makes them so interesting today as to attract corporate financing is the unique culture that can be tapped into for the benefit of the entire nation.
